B14 Worlds at Circolo Vela Torbole, Lake Garda - Day 3
by Tim Fells 22 Jul 2004 13:01 BST
Tim Fells and Shaun Barber (GBR 758) leading the B14 worlds after day 3 on Lake Garda © Ian Jubb Sailboat Deliveries
Day 3 of the B14 Worlds brought classic Ora conditions with 16-18 knots, much more steady in direction and strength than the first two days. It was definitely a boat speed day and the Aussie team showed their colours with some exceptional all round pace. The Sydney fleet based at Woollahra, have been working with their local sailmaker to develop a flatter, straighter rig that seems rocket ship fast in a breeze. The European rigs are more tuned for moderate conditions with coastal chop and are more punchy, pointing higher. It is an interesting contrast in styles and if the wind continues to build, the end result will be hard to predict.
In race 5, Richie Reynolds and Lissa McMillan gained the upper hand up the left hand bank and rounded first ahead of the leading five Brits in the overall standings. Sailing a composed race strategy they steadily extended their lead to win, Lissa becoming the first girl crew to win a B14 world championship race. Overnight leaders, Tim Fells and Shaun Barber (GBR 758) crossed second to further strengthen their title challenge. Matt Searle and Sandy Ramus (GBR 725) added a third to their impressive set of top 5 results and Jason Andrews and Joel McDonald strengthened their score line with fourth. Jono Pank and Rich Edwards (GBR 771) whole had led the regatta on the first day, were disqualified for a windward mark incident with Andrews.
At the start of race 6, the Ora was well established and the fleet split to both sides of the course. Fells / Barber, leading the regatta were doing turns off the start line and were last to start. Searle / Ramus took the early lead but were soon struggling to hold back the flying Aussies. Martin Johnson and Mike Halkes (AUS 367) flew past upwind and extended their lead to win by a stunning margin from Searle / Ramus. Peter Ray and Gareth Wells (AUS 370) took third ahead of Reynolds / McMillan (AUS 368) to complete a great day for team Australia. Meanwhile the leading 3 Brits were doing themselves no favours with Andrews / McDonald 10th, Fells / Barber 12th and Pank / Edwards seeing their title challenge slip away in 13th.
Results after 6 races:
1st GBR 758, Tim Fells and Shaun Barber (1,9,1,3,2,12) 16 points
2nd GBR 725, Matt Searle and Sandy Ramus (5,4,4,6,3,2) 18 points
3rd GBR 756, Jason Andrews and Joel McDonald (9,6,3,1,4,10) 23 points
4th AUS 368 Richie Reynolds and Lissa McMillan (11,17,6,2,1,4) 24 points
5th AUS 367 Martin Johnson and Mike Halkes (4,13,5,7,7,1) 24 points
6th AUS 370 Peter Ray and Gareth Wells (13,3,13,5,5,3) 29 points